Chart decomposition and sequencing for limited display devices

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for chart decomposition and sequencing in a limited display device. In an embodiment of the invention, a method of chart decomposition and sequencing in a limited display device is provided. The method includes generating a data visualization for raw data and partitioning the data visualization into a set of a discrete number of segments. The method also includes establishing a sequence for the segments in the set. Finally, the method includes displaying the segments sequentially in frames of an animation according to the sequence in a display of the limited display device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to graphics rendering in a limited displaydevice and more particularly to chart rendering in a limited displaydevice.

2. Description of the Related Art

The processing power of the personal computer has proven essential inprocessing chunks of data to provide fast data reduction not previouslypossible with the unaided human mind. Essential to data reduction is thevisualization of the data reduction. As an essential form of datavisualization, charts are often used to ease understanding of largequantities of data and the relationships between parts of the data.Charts can usually be read more quickly than the raw data from whichthey are produced. Certain types of charts are more useful forpresenting a given data set than others. For example, data that presentspercentages in different groups or classifications are often displayedin a “pie chart” or a “bar chart”. A pie chart is a circular chartdivided into sectors, illustrating numerical proportion. In comparison,a bar chart or bar graph is a chart with rectangular bars with lengthsproportional to the values that they represent. Conversely, data thatrepresents numbers that change over a period of time are best shown as aline chart. A line chart or line graph is a type of chart which displaysinformation as a series of data points called ‘markers’ connected bystraight line segments.

Displaying data visualizations in a desktop display for a personalcomputer is of no consequence and modern desktop displays are so largein size, that multiple concurrent displays of different datavisualizations in the desktop display can be common. However, with therecent ubiquity of the smart phone and tablet computing, display spacehas become limited. Therefore, displaying data visualizations within thelimited display space of a pervasive device can be quite limited. Towit, many smart phone end users are often compelled to engage inirritating horizontal and vertical scrolling in order to view a completechart.

To account for the display of a data visualization like a chart or graphin a limited display device, many devices provide for the automatedreduction in size of the chart so as to fit the full display of thechart or graph within the confines of the limited display. However, indoing so, detail becomes obscured so that the end user is forced toperform a “zoom” operation to view the very specific details of the datavisualization. Yet, the details of the data visualization may beimportant to understanding the underlying raw data, notwithstanding thegeneral inconvenience of viewing anything in the tiny display area of aconventional display device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art inrespect to data visualization display in a limited display device andprovide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer programproduct for chart decomposition and sequencing in a limited displaydevice. In an embodiment of the invention, a method of chartdecomposition and sequencing in a limited display device is provided.The method includes generating a data visualization for raw data andpartitioning the data visualization into a set of a discrete number ofsegments. The method also includes establishing a sequence for thesegments in the set. Finally, the method includes displaying thesegments sequentially according to the sequence in a display of thelimited display device.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the sequential display of the segmentsoccurs as a slide show. In this regard, each slide of the slide showincludes a different one of the segments, a transition between eachslide occurring at after a pre-specified time delay. In another aspectof the embodiment, the sequential display of the segments occurs as aslide show, a transition between each slide occurring manuallyresponsive to user input at the limited display device.

In another embodiment of the invention, a limited display dataprocessing system is configured for chart decomposition and sequencingin a limited display device. The system includes a host computer thathas memory and at least one processor. The system also includes a chartdecomposition and sequencing module executing in the memory of the hostcomputer. The module in turn includes program code enabled uponexecution in the memory to generate a data visualization for raw data,to partition the data visualization into a set of a discrete number ofsegments, to establish a sequence for the segments in the set, and todisplay the segments sequentially according to the sequence in a limiteddisplay.

Of note, the limited display can be part of the host computer.Alternatively, the limited display can be part of a limited displaydevice communicatively coupled to the host computer over a computercommunications network. In either case, the data visualization can be apie chart with each segment being a different classification of datavisualized in the pie chart. Or, the data visualization can be a barchart with each segment being a different bar of the bar chart. Or, thedata visualization can be a line graph with each segment being adifferent portion along an x-axis of the line graph bounded by specificdata points in the line graph.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspectsof the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elementsand combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It isto be understood that both the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only andare not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute partof this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred,it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to theprecise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a process for chart decompositionand sequencing in a limited display device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a limited display data processingsystem configured for chart decomposition and sequencing in a limiteddisplay device; and,

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for chart decompositionand sequencing in a limited display device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide for chart decomposition andsequencing in a limited display device. In accordance with an embodimentof the invention, a data visualization can be generated for a data setof data in a limited display device. The data visualization can includecharts or graphs for example. Thereafter, the data visualization can bepartitioned into a set of discrete number of segments and ordered into asequence. Once partitioned and sequenced, each segment in the set can bepresented in order of the sequence in a display of the limited displaydevice. In this regard, the set of segments can be displayedautomatically as an animation of different frames in sequence, eachframe containing one of the segments. An example of an animation is aslide show with each slide including an individual one of the segments,with a pre-set delay between slide transitions. Alternatively, the setof segments can be displayed manually, each frame including anindividual one of the segments, each transition between the framesoccurring responsive to user input in the limited display device. Inthis way, the data visualization can be viewed in the limited displaydevice with as much detail as would have been the case in a largedisplay of a desktop computer.

In further illustration, FIG. 1 pictorially shows a process for chartdecomposition and sequencing in a limited display device. As shown inFIG. 1, a data reduction application 120 can reduce raw data 110 into adata visualization 130—a bar chart 140A, a pie chart 140B, or a linegraph 140C, for example. Chart decomposition and sequencing logic 170 inturn can process the data visualization 130 to identify differentsegments 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D. The segments 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D canbe selected as segments 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D of data of a commoncharacterization as in the case of a pie chart or bar chart, or data ofa line segment bound by two different data end points of the raw data110 as in the case of a line graph. Thereafter, the segments 150A, 150B,150C, 150D can be sequenced into a set of frames 150 of an animation,for instance a slide show of different slides, each corresponding to adifferent one of the segments 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D and withpre-determined transitions between the frames. Finally, the set offrames 150 of the animation can be provided to a computing device 160such as a mobile device for display in sequence in a limited display ofthe device 160.

The process described in connection with FIG. 1 can be implementedwithin a limited display data processing system. In yet furtherillustration, FIG. 2 schematically shows a limited display dataprocessing system configured for chart decomposition and sequencing. Thesystem can include a host computing system 210 that can include one ormore computers each with memory and at least one processor. The hostcomputing system 210 can support the execution of a data reductionapplication 250 programmed to reduce raw data in a coupled data store260 to different data visualizations. The data visualizations producedby the data reduction application 250 thereafter can be accessed througha browser client 240 in a client computing device 230 from over acomputer communications network 220.

Of note, a chart decomposition and sequencing module 300 can be coupledto the data reduction application 250. The chart decomposition andsequencing module 300 can include program code that is enabled uponexecution in the memory of the host computing system 210 to segment achart or graph produced as part of a data visualization by the datareduction application 250 into different segments. The program codefurther can be enabled to include each of the segments in a differentframe and to sequence the frames for presentation in the browser client240 as an animation, for instance a slide show. Finally, the programcode can be enabled to define automated transitions between each framein the animation during playback of the animation in the browser client240.

In even yet further illustration of the operation of the chartdecomposition and sequencing module, FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustratinga process for chart decomposition and sequencing in a limited displaydevice. Beginning in block 310, a chart type can be selected forvisualizing data in a data set. In block 320, the data set can be loadedand in block 330, the data can be classified, for example by type, byrange of values, or by frequency of occurrence, to name only threeexamples. Thereafter, in block 340, a segment of the selected chart canbe generated for the data set according to a first classification of thedata. In block 350, the generated segment can be inserted into a frameof an animation.

In decision block 360, it can be determined whether or not additionalclassifications remain from which corresponding segments of the chartcan be generated. If so, in block 370 a next segment of the selectedchart can be generated for the data set according to a nextclassification of the data. Again, in block 350, the generated segmentcan be inserted into a frame of the animation. In decision block 360,when no additional classifications remain from which correspondingsegments of the chart can be generated, in block 380 the transitionsbetween each frame can be established and in block 390, an animation canbe created with the frames in sequence and transitions disposedtherebetween. Finally, in block 400 the animation can be displayed inthe device.

The present invention may be embodied within a system, a method, acomputer program product or any combination thereof. The computerprogram product may include a computer readable storage medium or mediahaving computer readable program instructions thereon for causing aprocessor to carry out aspects of the present invention. The computerreadable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain andstore instructions for use by an instruction execution device. Thecomputer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limitedto, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an opticalstorage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductorstorage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readablestorage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, ahard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a staticrandom access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk,a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structuresin a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitablecombination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, asused herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se,such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves,electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or othertransmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-opticcable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

Finally, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of theinvention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detailand by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing from thescope of the invention defined in the appended claims as follows:

We claim:
 1. A method of chart decomposition and sequencing in a limited display device, the method comprising: generating a data visualization for raw data; partitioning the data visualization into a set of a discrete number of segments; establishing a sequence for the segments in the set; and, displaying the segments sequentially in frames of an animation according to the sequence in a display of the limited display device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequential display of the segments occurs as a slide show, each slide of the slide show comprising a different one of the segments, a transition between each slide occurring at after a pre-specified time delay.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequential display of the segments occurs as a slide show, each slide of the slide show comprising a different one of the segments, a transition between each slide occurring manually responsive to user input at the limited display device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data visualization is a pie chart and each segment is a different classification of data visualized in the pie chart.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data visualization is a bar chart and each segment is a different bar of the bar chart.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data visualization is a line graph and each segment is a different portion along an x-axis of the line graph bounded by specific data points in the line graph.
 7. A limited display data processing system configured for chart decomposition and sequencing in a limited display device, the system comprising: a host computer comprising memory and at least one processor; and, a chart decomposition and sequencing module executing in the memory of the host computer, the module comprising program code enabled upon execution in the memory to generate a data visualization for raw data, to partition the data visualization into a set of a discrete number of segments, to establish a sequence for the segments in the set, and to display the segments sequentially in frames of an animation according to the sequence in a limited display.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the limited display is part of the host computer.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the limited display is part of a limited display device communicatively coupled to the host computer over a computer communications network.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the sequential display of the segments occurs as a slide show, each slide of the slide show comprising a different one of the segments, a transition between each slide occurring at after a pre-specified time delay.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the sequential display of the segments occurs as a slide show, each slide of the slide show comprising a different one of the segments, a transition between each slide occurring manually responsive to user input at the limited display device.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the data visualization is a pie chart and each segment is a different classification of data visualized in the pie chart.
 13. The system of claim 7, wherein the data visualization is a bar chart and each segment is a different bar of the bar chart.
 14. The system of claim 7, wherein the data visualization is a line graph and each segment is a different portion along an x-axis of the line graph bounded by specific data points in the line graph.
 15. A computer program product for of chart decomposition and sequencing in a limited display device, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a device to cause the device to perform a method comprising: generating by a device, a data visualization for raw data; partitioning by the device, the data visualization into a set of a discrete number of segments; establishing by the device, a sequence for the segments in the set; and, displaying by the device, the segments sequentially in frames of an animation according to the sequence in a display of the limited display device.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the sequential display of the segments occurs as a slide show, each slide of the slide show comprising a different one of the segments, a transition between each slide occurring at after a pre-specified time delay.
 17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the sequential display of the segments occurs as a slide show, each slide of the slide show comprising a different one of the segments, a transition between each slide occurring manually responsive to user input at the limited display device.
 18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the data visualization is a pie chart and each segment is a different classification of data visualized in the pie chart.
 19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the data visualization is a bar chart and each segment is a different bar of the bar chart.
 20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the data visualization is a line graph and each segment is a different portion along an x-axis of the line graph bounded by specific data points in the line graph. 